Legend of Grimrock is a modern take on the first-person dungeon crawler genre. Similar to Dungeon Master and Eye of the Beholder, players progress through the game by descending further into the dungeon whilst solving puzzles and slaying enemies.

Story

A group of prisoners are sentenced to death and exiled to Mount Grimrock, a mountain filled with tunnels, dungeons and catacombs built by an ancient civilization that disappeared centuries ago. If the prisoners want to ever see daylight again they will need to build a Team and unravel Grimrock Mountain's mysteries to find the exit.

Character Generation

Character Generation Screen.

Legend of Grimrock features four Races and three classes to choose from, players can also use the predetermined party consisting of a Human Fighter, Minotaur Fighter, Human Rogue and Human Mage. Players will also have the option to select an "Old School Option" that will turn off Auto-Mapping completely, this feature can not be changed after starting the game.

All the races can be any class in the game, though their stats will vary depending on the combination selected; A Minotaur Fighter will have more hitpoints than a Minotaur Mage and a Human Fighter for example.

Mount Grimrock.

The Game also features a Skill Point system, that vary depending on the class, being possible to allocate points into Skills such as Armor, Athletics, Swords, Magic, Assassination etc. These skills will determine the player proficiency in the respective areas, and the number of Skill points available at the start will also vary depending on the Race of the character.

Each Character also start the game with 10 Stat points that can be spent across Strength, Dexterity, Vitality and Willpower.

There is also the ability to select Traits, that give various bonuses, like more Health, Resistance to Cold, Poison etc, and even more Skill Points to be allocated.

On the table below you can see all the Races/Class combinations and their respective starting stats:

Race/Class

Fighter

Rogue

Mage

Stats

Skill Points

Human

HP: 60Energy: 50

HP: 45Energy: 50

HP: 35Energy: 50

Strength : 10Dexterity : 10Vitality : 10Will: 10

4

Minotaur

HP: 70Energy: 42

HP: 55Energy: 42

HP: 45Energy: 42

Strength: 15Dexterity: 6Vitality : 14Will: 7

1

Lizardman

HP: 60Energy: 47

HP: 45Energy: 47

HP: 35Energy: 47

Strength: 10Dexterity: 12Vitality: 10Will: 9

3

Insectoid

HP: 55Energy: 60

HP: 40Energy: 60

HP: 30Energy: 60

Strength: 8Dexterity: 11Vitality: 8Will: 14

3

Stats

Health - Health is the ability of a character to resist pain and injuries, Vitality and Character class will affect the number of Health Points a character starts with, and the number gained by leveling up.

Energy - Energy is used for Special attacks and Spellcasting, Willpower will determine the number of Energy Points a character starts with, and the number gained by leveling up.

Strength - Strenght is the physical prowess of a character, it increases Attack power and carrying capacity.

Vitality - Vitality represents your overall Health and Stamina, it determines the number of Health Points a character starts with and the number gained by leveling up, it also improves resistances.

Willpower - Willpower determines the character's ability to use Magic powers, it will determine the number of Energy Points a character starts with, and the number gained by leveling up.

Attack Power - Attack Power determines how much Physical damage a character will do, it is based on Strength and equipped weapons.

Accuracy - Accuracy affects the chance a character have to hit a target with melee attacks, it is based on Dexterity and equipped weapons.

Protection - Protection decreases damaged received from enemy attacks, it is determined by Armor, Clothes and other defensive gear.

Evasion - Evasion is the ability to avoid physical attacks completely, It is determined by Dexterity, equipped shields and other types of gear.

Resist Fire - Resist Fire decreases damaged received from fire, steam and heat based attacks. It is determined by Dexterity and Race stats.

Resist Cold - Resist Cold decreases damaged received from icy and cold attacks. It is determined by Vitality and Race stats.

Resist Poison - Resist Poison decreases damaged received from poisonous attacks. It is determined by Vitality and Race stats.

Resist Shock - Resist Shock decreases damaged received from lightning and electric attacks. It is determined by Dexterity and Race stats.

Load - Load affects the Party's movement speed, if a character becomes Burdened movement speed slows down, if a character becomes Overloaded the whole Party can't move.

Skills

Fighter Skills

Contar Stoneskull

Athletics - This skill represents the character's Physique, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Strength, Vitality and Health.

Armors - This skill represents the character's Armor and Defense, , spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Protection and Health.

Axes - This skill represents the character's ability with Axes, it will increase Attack Power, Accuracy and the chance of performing special attacks when using Axes, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Strength and Health.

Maces - This skill represents the character's ability with Maces, it will increase Attack Power, Accuracy and the chance of performing special attacks when using Maces, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Vitality, Health and will grant the Bash ability.

Swords - This skill represents the character's ability with Swords, it will increase Attack Power, Accuracy and the chance of performing special attacks when using Swords, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Strengh, Health and will grant the Slash ability.

Unarmed Combat - This skill represents the character's ability with Unarmed attacks, it will increase Attack Power, Accuracy and chance of performing special attacks when fighting unarmed, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Dexterity, Health and will grant the Jab ability.

Rogue Skills

Yennica Whitefeather

Assassination - This skill will give the character certain special abilities, spending points in this skill will give bonus to Strength and will grant the Backstab and Reach Attack abilities.

Daggers - This skill represents the character's ability with Daggers, it will increase Attack Power, Accuracy and chance of performing special attacks when using Daggers, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Dexterity, Energy and will grant the Stab ability.

Dodge - This skill will improve the Rogue's defenses, spending points in this skill will give bonus to Evasion, Health and grants the Evade ability.

Missile Weapons - This skill represents the character's ability with Missile Weapons, it will increase Attack Power, Energy, Dexterity and will grant the Quick Shot ability.

Throwing Weapons - This skill represents the character's ability with Throwing Weapons, it will increase Attack Power, Strength, Health and will grant the Quick Throw ability.

Unarmed Combat - This skill represents the character's ability with Unarmed attacks, it will increase Attack Power, Accuracy and chance of performing special attacks when fighting unarmed, spending points in this skill will give bonuses to Dexterity, Health and will grant the Jab ability.

Mage Skills

Sancsaron the Wry

Air Magic - This skill will determine the character's ability to cast Air based spells, as you spent points in this skill you gain access to new spells and the efficiency of air spells improves. it also improves the Resist Shock stat.

Earth Magic - This skill will determine the character's ability to cast Earth based spells, as you spent points in this skill you gain access to new spells and the efficiency of earth spells improves. it also improves the Resist Poison stat.

Fire Magic - This skill will determine the character's ability to cast Fire based spells, as you spent points in this skill you gain access to new spells and the efficiency of Fire spells improves. it also improves the Resist Fire stat.

Ice Magic - This skill will determine the character's ability to cast Ice based spells, as you spent points in this skill you gain access to new spells and the efficiency of Ice spells improves. it also improves the Resist Cold stat.

Spellcraft - This skill will improve the Mage's ability to cast spells, being able to cast more spells before running out of Energy. Spending points in this skill will give bonus to Willpower and will grant new spells.

Staff Defense - This will improve the Mage's defenses, It gives bonuses to Evasion, Health and Protection.

*In order to learn new spells the player will need to find a Scroll containing the Runes of the respective spell.

Traits

Two traits can be chosen per character at the start of each playthrough, during the process of character creation.

Trait

Description

Effects

Aggressive

You are full of rage

Attack Power +4

Agile

Your reflexes are exceptional

Dexterity +2

Athletic

Your body is muscular

Strength +2

Aura

You have a potent aura

Energy +15

Cold-Blooded

You are naturally resistant to cold

Resist Cold +25

Daemon Ancestor

Your Great Grandfather had fiery eyes

Resist Fire +25

Evasive

You know better to stay away from harm

Evasion +7

Fist Fighter

You know how to survive tavern brawls

Attack Power +6

Head Hunter(Minotaur race only)

You are something of a trophy collector

Attack Power +3(per Skull in the inventory)

Healthy

You are exceptionally healthy

Vitality +2

Natural Armour(Insectoid race only)

Your skin is very thick and armour-like

Protection +5

Poison Resistant

You are naturally resistant to poisons

Resist Poison +25

Skilled

You are learned

Skill Points +3(at character creation)

Strong Mind

Your mind is sharp as a needle

Willpower +2

Tough

You are exceptionally healthy

Health +15

Gameplay

Legend of Grimrock's gameplay mixes old school Dungeon Crawling mechanics with puzzle solving and exploration. The game is played from a first person perpective (you never actually see your party) on a Grid-based movement style, similar to a Chess game, but unlike other games that utilize the same style of movement, the combat is always in real time and not turn based; this makes the game more dynamic and fast paced, with Circle straffing and strategic movement playing an integral part of combat.

Combat is in real time.

The game also focus heavily on exploration and puzzle solving, demanding players to be very aware of their surroundings, to avoid traps, find hidden levers, treasures, etc; sometimes resembling a point and click adventure game. A keen eye will often pay dividends in Legend of Grimrock.

You control a party of four adventures that can be pre-made characters as well as a custom party made by the player, where your main objective is to reach the end of the Dungeon floor and move on to the next one. The party is split in front and back rows, with two characters occupying the first row and two on the back. Only characters on the front row can perform melee attacks, while the back row can use ranged and magic to fight enemies; though some skills and weapons will let players use melee attacks from the back row too. Players can move characters to the front and back rows at will, allowing for a more strategic style of play.

Arrow interface allows for mouse control.

Magic and Spells utilize a scroll/rune system, requiring players to find scrolls in order to learn new spells. Also everytime players need to cast a spell they are required to input the correct rune combination on the spell interface in real time.

Players will use the WASD keys to navigate the grid, the Q and E keys to turn around, and the right mouse button for free looking (with the latter only available while standing still). There is also an option to enable arrow icons on the screen making possible to play the game only using a mouse.

If a character in your party dies in combat, there are various save points that will revive them to full. To prevent character death, you can rest in between battles to regain health and spellpoints, but be careful; if you rest when enemies are around, they will ambush you in your sleep.

The game also features food mechanics, where characters will starve if not fed. Characters will start felling hungry by doing actions such as moving, casting spells, swinging weapons, resting etc. Being hungry does not impose any penalties at first, but when characters enter the "starving" phase, they will stop regenerating Health and Energy if not fed, some enemies will drop food when killed, but supplies can get limited specially on the first levels of the game, making food a precious commodity.

Enemies

Displayed in alphabetical order.

Name

Health

Damage Dealt

Attack Speed

Movement Speed

Effects on Player

Drops / Loot

Cave Crab

High

Medium

Medium

Slow

---

---

Crowern

Medium

Medium

Fast

Fast

---

---

Giant Snail

Very low

Very low

Slow

Very slow

---

Snail Slice

Giant Spider

High

High

Fast

Fast

Poison status

---

Goromorg

High(also has a magic shield)

Very High

Medium

Fast

---

---

Green Slime

High

Medium

Medium

Slow

Disease status

---

Herder (large)

High

High

Medium

Medium

Poison status

Herder Cap

Herder (medium)

Medium

Low

Medium

Slow

---

Herder Cap

Herder (small)

Low

Medium

Medium

Fast

Poison status

Herder Cap

Ice Lizard

High(immune to cold)

High

Fast

Fast

---

Steak

Ogre

Very high

Very high

Medium

Medium(has a charge attack)

---

Ogre Hammer

Scavenger

Low

Low

Very fast

Fast

---

---

Shrakk Torr

Low

Low

Very fast

Very fast

Disease Status

---

Skeleton Archer

Low(immune to poison)

Low

Low

Fast

---

Frost Arrows

Medium(immune to poison)

Medium

Medium

Medium

---

Legionary SpearLegionary Shield

Tentacles

High

Medium

Fast

Stationary

---

---

Uggardian

High

Very High

Medium

Fast

---

---

Very High

Very High

Medium

Medium(has a charge attack)

---

---

Wyvern

High

High

Fast

Fast

---

---

Potions

All potions require an empty flask in which to deposit your ingredients! Ingredients can be mixed and/or ground by finding a Mortar and Pestle in the first couple of levels.

Antidote

Ingredients: 1 slime bell

Effects: cures any disease status

Antivenom

Ingredients: 1 cave nettle.

Effects: cures any poison effect.

Energy Potion

Ingredients: 1 blooddrop blossom.

Effects: restores 75 Energy.

Healing Potion

Ingredients: 1 tar bead.

Effects: restores 50 HP.

Poignant Potion

Ingredients: 2 cave nettles.

Effects: inflicts poison status on the enemy.

Speed Potion

Ingredients: 1 milkreed, 1 blooddrop blossom.

Effects: cooldown times halved.

Sulphurous Potion

Ingredients: 1 grim cap, 1 blooddrop blossom, 1 cave nettle.

Effects: rage (attack power +10, evasion -10).

Toorum Mode

Legend of Grimrock has a secret mode that can only be unlocked after you've attained the "Buddies with Toorum" achievement, which pretty much consists of being able to find and take Toorum's remains back to a Crystal of Life, thus releasing his spirit. Now, once you've gotten this achievement, you can at any time start a new game (make sure you've got the "create characters" option active before you do, though!), write "Toorum" in the character name slot, press the "enter" key and voilá, your hear a sound that resembles a chime of sorts and the game immediately launches, giving you a brand new character with a brand new portrait and a particular set of skills to play with. Take note however that you will NOT have a party with you-- your playthrough with Toorum will be a "one-man army" kind of experience, which greatly changes the gameplay and drastically alters the overall experience, as you only have two hands to equip items into.

Toorum's starting Stats, set of Skills and unique Traits

Toorum, the character whose notes are scattered throughout the dungeon.

Health: 95

Energy: 55

Strength: 18

Dexterity: 15

Vitality: 16

Willpower: 12

Skills: Armours, Axes, Swords, Earth Magic, Fire Magic, Spellcraft.

Unlike a standard mage, Toorum cannot cast spells without having an orb or a staff equipped.

Traits: Tough, Skilled, Thunderstruck

The thunderstruck trait is unique to Toorum and isn't even available in the game's regular mode; what thunderstruck does is it gives Toorum the ability to move at twice the normal movement speed.